[lasallegal]

Hello,

I purchased a DVI to RCA component cable. I plugged the DVI portion into my MBP. I plugged the RCA component cable into my television. I understand that this is just video; I will need to purchase a Miniplug-To-RCA Stereo Audio Cable to make the audio work.

My problem is this: I go to System Preferences --> Displays to configure the video connection. I do a "mirror" display so that what is on my computer is also on my television screen.

I go through the "calibration" process (which I will tell you frankly that I don't understand).

I pick (arbitrarily, mind you) the 640 x 480 60 Hz option and then the 800 x 600 75 Hz option. Those two result in the best display on the computer (you can kind of see the menu bar and the dock on the television screen.

Problem: mad flickering. And the screen looks rather pink.

Please please please help me do a step by step (idiot proof) configuration of the display settings on my computer.

I am very confused (have tried google-ing but couldn't find out instructions on how to configure the Mac OS X Display settings. Went to VOD.com - PC to TV for a bit of guidance as well.

Thanks!

L. Gal

[Cold Warrior]

Are you using something off the shelf or Apple's product?
The Apple Store (U.S.) - Apple Video Adapter

[ibook_steve]

Actually, you need this:

The Apple Store (U.S.) - Apple DVI to Video Adapter

I've never heard of an off-the-shelf DVI to RCA cable, but whatever it is, it won't work. The Apple adaptor has a chip that tricks the computer into thinking a monitor is attached and tells it the correct resolutions and settings to use for television.

Steve

[lasallegal]

Hi, Steve, Hi, Cold Warrior,

Thanks for the advice. Sadly I purchased a DVI to RCA component cable from monoprice.com. I didn't realize that I should purchase one only from the Apple Store.

I will definitely purchase the Apple DVI to Video Adapter today.

I actually have a small followup question: What cable should I purchase to connect from the adapter to the television set? (I don't want to buy the wrong thing again..) (And I can't find the cable or the name of the cable on the Apple Store website)

To summarize, I should purchase:
1) Miniplug-To-RCA Stereo Audio Cable
2) Apple Store DVI to Video Adapter
3) ????

Thanks!!

L. Gal

[ibook_steve]

Any RCA video (yellow connectors) or s-video cable will do.

Steve

[lasallegal]

Thanks, Steve!

[SVass]

There appears to be a technical glitch in the language here. Component cables (plural) are the three cable set used for HD. Composite, S-video are a name for a single video cable to connect to a standard old fashioned tv set. The two of you are talking about different things. Apple does sell a dvi to composite adapter probably containing some chip. The MBP does have a dvi port which I have connected to a dvi port on a digital display and I could have used a dvi to hdmi cable instead. I do not know of a dvi to component adaptor. sam

[ibook_steve]

Originally Posted by SVass 

There appears to be a technical glitch in the language here. Component cables (plural) are the three cable set used for HD. Composite, S-video are a name for a single video cable to connect to a standard old fashioned tv set. The two of you are talking about different things. Apple does sell a dvi to composite adapter probably containing some chip. The MBP does have a dvi port which I have connected to a dvi port on a digital display and I could have used a dvi to hdmi cable instead. I do not know of a dvi to component adaptor. sam

Yes. OP says "RCA component" which is incorrect. RCA is composite by definition. But I assumed OP wanted "RCA" not "component."

Steve

[FireWire]

Sorry to bump this thread, but I didn't see the point of creating a new one since my question is basically the same as the OP, except I'm using an iMac. I too want to connect my TV to my Mac so I can watch DVD in my living room.

What I'm wondering is: can I keep the Apple adapter connected all the time but turn it off when I don't need it, so my video memory is not wasted when I'm not watching DVD? I don't want to mess behind my computer every time I want to watch something on my TV. Thank you!